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James (Jimmy) Gherardi was born January 16, 1920 in Dawson, New Mexico to Fiora and Joseph Gherardi, immigrant coal miners from Lucca, Italy. Passed away peacefully at home on Monday morning May 12, 2008. The family came to Albuquerque in 1932 and started a farm out of clay and sand dunes in the south valley. Over the years most of the young men growing up in the surrounding area worked on the Gherardi Farm. Jim was one of the last farmers to remain in the South Valley. During the 60's and 70's his farm supplied most of the locally grown asparagus to supermarkets in the Albuquerque area. He was proud of the fact that his alfalfa and other farm products always took first place at the state fair. He carried that pride over to establishing a reputation of always giving customers top quality alfalfa at a fair price. Jim was proud of his 30 plus years of service to the New Mexico Farm Bureau and Middle Rio Grande Conservancy. A good friend and neighbor he was always happy to lend a hand or help when needed. He helped build the first volunteer fire department in the south valley and was a volunteer fireman for years. He also helped build the church and church hall for Ascension Parish. Jim was never rich but his family never wanted for anything. Growing his own fruits and vegetables and livestock our table was always plentiful. With the addition of his love and guidance we had one of the best childhoods and homes one can imagine. His love and caring for his wife of 65 years, Mary, never wavered to the very end! He is survived by his daughter, Kathryn Esquibel and husband, Joe, daughter, Jeanette and John Torres, son, Dr. Robert Gherardi and wife Nancy, daughter, Rosemary Scott and husband, Ray, ten grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, sisters Annie Tafoya and Gina Andreoli. A special thank you to Jimmy's healthcare team who worked hard to make his last few years the best he could have, especially Dr. Fred Hashimoto, Dr. Jeff Dorf the staff at Fresinius Dialysis unit. Thank you also to his special caregivers who helped so much, Chelsea Caudillo and Rosa Garcia for making him laugh and serving him his beloved Cheetos. The Rosary will be recited on Friday, May 16, 2008 at 7:00 P.M. at theDaniels Family Funeral Services Palm Chapel, 1100 Coal Ave. SE. The Celebration of the Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, May 17 at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of the Ascension Parrish, 2150 Raymac Road SW. Interment will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Joseph Gherardi, Jason Torres, Ryan Torres, Chris Esquibel, David Engstrom, and Martin Hoefler. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the National Kidney Foundation of New Mexico, Inc. 5736 Osuna Rd NE, Suite 7, Albuquerque, NM 87109 or by calling 505-830-3542. Services entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services 1100 Coal Ave SE Albuquerque, NM 87106 505/ 842-8800 www.danielsfuneral.com
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